IQ Option review

Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

IQ Option suits beginners who want a small deposit and a demo account before trading real money. It charges a stock trade fee of $0 under a commission-free model, and CySEC regulation in Cyprus brings an EU investor protection scheme worth knowing before you start.

Key facts

Best for
Beginners trading options, forex, CFDs and crypto on a small balance with a demo account first
Minimum deposit
$10 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Stock trade fee
$0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Inactivity fee
€10 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Markets
Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Options (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Regulators
CySEC (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Investor protection
EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Deposit and withdrawal fees
Free deposits; withdrawals vary (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Platforms
Web, Desktop, iOS, Android (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Maximum retail leverage
30:1 EU, up to 500:1 offshore (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
IQ Option Europe Ltd (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
Cyprus (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2013 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Demo account, Crypto, Mobile app
Pricing model
Commission-free
Audience
Beginners
Official website
iqoption.com

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Stock trade fee of $0 on a commission-free model, a common pricing shape on this site
  • A demo account is listed, so you can practise before funding
  • Minimum deposit of $10 keeps the entry point low
  • Regulated by CySEC in Cyprus, with an EU protection scheme stated at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000

Cons

  • An inactivity fee of €10 applies, while the site median for this fee is €0
  • Retail accounts that lose money sit near a site median of 70.15%
  • The minimum deposit ranks low at position 100 of 213
IQ Option

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Scored 9.0 / 10 by BrokerCue.

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Who it suits

  • Beginners who want a demo account and a commission-free model
  • Traders focused on options, forex, CFDs and crypto rather than a long share portfolio
  • Anyone who will only trade with money covered by a stated protection scheme

Who should look elsewhere

  • CFI, if a lower minimum deposit matters more than the market list
  • Vantage, if you want a smaller entry requirement and fewer listed asset types
  • eToro, if you want a wider range of listed instruments including futures

Safety and regulation

Regulators listed for IQ Option are CySEC, under a Cyprus licence numbered 247/14. Investor protection is stated as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so the scheme covers eligible claims up to that limit rather than every loss. Accounts opened outside the EU under the offshore entity sit outside that cover. Check which entity your account falls under before you deposit.

Who runs it

The legal entity named is IQ Option Europe Ltd, and the headquarters country is Cyprus, the same country attached to the CySEC licence 247/14. The company was founded in 2013, so it has a long trading record relative to newer entrants. Offshore entities serving other countries are separate, and the protection described above applies through the European entity.

How IQ Option compares

Where IQ Option is available

Available
Everywhere except Australia, Belgium, Canada, United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Russia, United States
Licence in Cyprus
CySEC (247/14), checked September 26, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost to trade stocks on IQ Option?+

The stock trade fee is $0, and the pricing model listed is commission-free. That makes costs easy to read on the surface, but the instrument and trade size still drive the total outlay. Leverage magnifies both the cost and the result, so check your position size before opening a trade.

Is there an inactivity fee?+

Yes. An inactivity fee of €10 applies, which sits above the site median of €0. On this measure IQ Option ranks at position 39 of 56 brands. Close unused accounts or trade occasionally if you would rather not pay it.

How much do I need to deposit?+

The minimum deposit is $10. That is a low bar, but it also means most brokers sit below it on this measure, with IQ Option at position 100 of 213. Plan your deposit size rather than depositing the bare minimum and stopping there.

Who regulates IQ Option?+

The regulator listed is CySEC, under a Cyprus licence numbered 247/14. Investor protection is stated as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, which applies to eligible claims up to that limit. Accounts held with an offshore entity sit outside that European cover.

What markets can I trade?+

The listed markets are stocks, etfs and forex. Options, forex, CFDs and crypto sit alongside stocks and ETFs, so the platform leans towards short-term and leveraged trading rather than buy and hold. Confirm which of these your account actually holds before you plan around one.

Can I practise before depositing?+

A demo account is listed among the features, along with a mobile app. Practising on demo first is the sensible route given how retail losses are distributed, with a site median of 70.15% of retail accounts losing money. Treat demo results as practice, not evidence of live performance.

What are the deposit and withdrawal costs?+

Deposits are free, while withdrawals vary by method and payment provider. The stated position is Free deposits; withdrawals vary. Fees on the way out can therefore depend on the route you pick, so compare withdrawal costs alongside your trading costs.

Who is IQ Option for?+

The audience listed is beginners, and a demo account plus a commission-free model backs that up. A small minimum deposit of $10 suits a first account. Experienced traders focused on tight spreads and instrument depth may find the range narrow.

Sources

Compiled from 7 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Account fee, Retail accounts that lose money.

IQ Option

IQ Option

Beginners trading options, forex, CFDs and crypto on a small balance with a demo account first

9.0/10See alternatives

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